Geography
Describe the vegetation of the Selvas. Explain the ways of livelihood practised by the people in the rainforest.
South America
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Answer
The Amazon Basin is home to the largest rainforest in the world. It consists of a wide variety of ecosystems ranging from grasslands to swamps. Two-thirds of this forestland lie in Brazil. The region experiences hot and humid climate as it receives abundant sunlight and rainfall. This has led to the development of thick rainforests of tall, hardwood, evergreen trees with layered vegetation.
The Amerindians, also known as Native Americans, live a forest-based life. They depend on the forest for everything— food, clothing, shelter and medicines. People depend mostly on primitive occupations such as
hunting and food gathering. Since food gathering and hunting does not always provide a steady supply of food, Shifting cultivation is practised in the rainforest. About a hectare of land is cleared often by the slash-and-burn method.
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State the location and the significance of each of the following features.
- Bolivian Plateau
- Lake Titicaca
State two notable features of the Eastern Highlands.
State the reasons behind the depletion of the Amazon rainforest.
Shifting cultivation is practised in the rainforest. About a hectare of land is cleared often by the slash-and-burn method. However, few larger trees are sometimes left to stand to protect crops from intense heat and rain. Trees providing food such as kola nuts and bananas are also left in place. The felled trees are then burnt and their ashes are mixed in the soil as nutrients. Crops such as yams, manioc, beans, tobacco, cocoa and pumpkins are planted. After a few years, as the production decreases, the cultivators abandon the land and make a fresh clearing in the forest.
- Which occupation is being discussed in the passage. Also mention a second name of this occupation.
- What is the usual practice of making the soil nutrient-rich?
- Name the crops that are grown there.
- Why do you think this practice contributes to environmental degradation?